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ATLANTIC WEASEL FAST FACTS Paragaleus pectoralis SIZE: Matures at: ♀ 75-90cm | ♂ 80cm Also known as the Little . Max: 138cm

This small and slender shark is grey-bronze in colour with DIET: striking yellow stripes. Underneath they are white. Squid, octopus & small fish. They belong to a group of known as the Ground Sharks (). This is the largest and most diverse order of sharks, containing at least 291 species RANGE: and 8 families. Eastern Atlantic. From Cape Verde & The Atlantic Weasel Shark belongs to the Weasel Shark Mauritania to northern family (), of which there are 8 species. Namibia.

Weasel sharks have long snouts, wide mouths, and HABITAT: sharp-edged teeth. They also have large oval shaped Tropical-warm coastal eyes and a third eyelid, known as a nictitating membrane. waters. Found in the This protects their eyes while feeding. shallows up to depths of 100m. The Atlantic Weasel Shark is a specialist at hunting squid and octopus. And also prey on small fish such as soles STATUS: and sardines. Data Deficient Illustration © Marc Dando © Marc Illustration They can be found close to shore in the surf zone, as well as offshore. These bottom-dwelling sharks range from shallow waters to depths of 100m.

Females gives birth to litters of 1-4 pups between May and June, off the coast of Senegal. These are born ~47 cm.

ATLANTIC WEASEL SHARK THREATS

We know little about Atlantic Weasel Sharks. Yet they seem to reproduce slowly which suggests they’re particularly vulnerable to human threats. More information is crucial to the conservation of this species:

• FISHERIES – The western coast of Africa is intensively fished. Atlantic Weasel Sharks are taken inshore by small commercial fisheries and offshore by international fisheries. They’re caught by longlines, hook and line, gillnets and bottom trawls.

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Safeguarding the future of sharks - www.sharktrust.org